Obama signing of drug disposal bill hailed by NACDS

October 15th, 2010

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The National Association of Chain Drug Stores said community pharmacies and their patients scored a victory with President Barack Obama's signing of the Secure and Responsible Drug Disposal Act.

NACDS said Thursday that the bill (S. 3397) permits the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to allow consumers to return their lawfully obtained controlled substance medications to DEA-authorized entities for disposal.

Significantly, and reflecting NACDS' stance on medication disposal, the legislation prevents the mandating of drug take-back programs in pharmacies, the association noted.

"NACDS appreciates the members of Congress, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D., Minn.) and Reps. Jay Inslee (D., Wash.), Bart Stupak (D., Mich.), Joe Barton (R., Texas) and Lamar Smith (R., Texas), who demonstrated a commitment to addressing the issue of drug disposal in a way that will not create new problems for public health and safety," NACDS president and chief executive officer Steve Anderson said in a statement.

"The fact that this new law does not create a drug take-back program mandate for pharmacies means that these members of Congress listened and kept an open mind, and that deserves a great deal of recognition," Anderson added. "NACDS thanks them for their work and thanks President Obama for signing this bill into law, and NACDS remains committed to being part of the solution when it comes to advancing the safe use and safe handling of medications."